Program Overview

---

Music (Education) (MMus)

About this course

Enhance your understanding of music education with a master's degree at the University of Southampton. You’ll graduate with the skills for a career in music teaching or further research on a PhD.

Our MMus Music Education degree gives you the opportunity to specialise in various elements of music education. On this course, you’ll study:

• current trends in musicological method and critical practice
• key research skills in music education
• a range of instrumental teaching techniques, styles and methods
• the technique, history and repertoire of your instrument or voice, and associated performance techniques

Our academic staff are internationally noted performers with active solo and ensemble careers, and established composers of contemporary art music, electronic music, media music (for example, in film, TV and videogames), and jazz. These world-leading experts can offer you intensive one-to-one tuition in music history, culture and performance.

We offer a broad-based MMus programme with 4 specialist pathways:

• Music Education
• Musicology
• Performance
• Composition

On the Music Education pathway, you’ll work towards a final project in the form of either an extended essay or a portfolio of recorded lessons accompanied by a written commentary. We’ll work with you to create a portfolio of work that’s relevant to your career aspirations. On completion of the course, you’ll be ready to:

• continue your research at a doctoral level
• work in the music industry or wider cultural sector
• become a teacher
• work as a freelance musician

You can mix your music education modules with topics from other MMus pathways to develop a wider range of skills and personalise the course to your interests.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

Your course leader is Dr Chiying Lam. She completed her doctoral study at the Royal College of Music, London, and her research focuses on musicians' pedagogical practice and post-colonial discourses of power & identity within the music practitioners' community.

Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in music or a related subject.

For the education pathway, you will need to provide the following:

1. a short sample running up to 7 minutes of recorded teaching, such as a one-on-one lesson, group class or workshop, ideally showing interaction with pupils
2. a 1,000-word essay on a music education topic, or a 1,000-word self-reflection on your experience in music education as a teacher and/or student
3. a short recording running up to 3 minutes of yourself performing a piece of music of your choice

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

Course structure

This is a full-time master’s course. You’ll study for 12 months, from September to the following September.

In the first 9 months (semesters 1 and 2) you’ll study the taught part of your course.

This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, designed to refine your professional writing and presentation skills, and prepare you for your final project.

You’ll also take optional modules to personalise the course to your interests. Some of these modules are shared with our other MMus pathways.

For the last 3 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently on your final project.

Learning and assessment

We’re committed to giving you a relevant, modern and above all enjoyable experience that will ensure you graduate with the skills and understanding you need for your chosen career or further research.

The learning activities for the Music Education pathway include:

• tutor and student-led seminars
• presentations
• individual instrumental or vocal lessons
• observation and reflection
• study visits
• independent study and practice

Depending on the modules you choose, we’ll assess you through a combination of:

• lesson observations and reflection
• group and individual presentations
• essays and analyses
• your final project

Dissertation

For your final project, you’ll complete an 8,000 to 10,000-word portfolio on a topic of your choice. You may choose to submit either an extended essay or a portfolio of recorded lessons with a written commentary.

You’ll meet regularly with your dissertation supervisor for guidance, advice and feedback.

Careers and employability

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Fees, costs and funding

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £27,800.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Tuition fees

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship

40 scholarships of £10,000 each are available to international students studying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate master’s degree in Arts and Humanities.

Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Southampton UK Alumni Music Scholarship

Four scholarships of £2000 are available to home fee paying graduates of University of Southampton.

Find out more about the Southampton UK Alumni Music Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

There are different application deadlines for this course. Applications are expected to close:

• International students: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to submit two academic references.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

You may also be asked to provide:

• a sample of music composition/performance

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email:
Tel:+44(0)